Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

[GrowUpFrances]

Cool. The render makes it look like they might do some sort of motion-sensor wall underneath the bridge.

[bricknose]

I walked by today, seeing it in person for the first time. I’m eager to see the Mall open!

One concern I have is how much it will or will not benefit the popularity of downtown Omaha. I noticed that there are basically no eateries or shops near the mall - everything is a good block or more South or West. It seems to just be offices, hotels, and condos nearby.

Apart from being a nice park and public event space, will it presence in any way cause positive feedback where the Mall attracts more people to stores nearby or vice versa to expand the popularity of downtown? My concern would be that it will just draw people away from Old Market.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I walked by today, seeing it in person for the first time. I’m eager to see the Mall open!

One concern I have is how much it will or will not benefit the popularity of downtown Omaha. I noticed that there are basically no eateries or shops near the mall - everything is a good block or more South or West. It seems to just be offices, hotels, and condos nearby.

Apart from being a nice park and public event space, will it presence in any way cause positive feedback where the Mall attracts more people to stores nearby or vice versa to expand the popularity of downtown? My concern would be that it will just draw people away from Old Market.

Keep in mind that cities are dynamic. Although there isn't any retail bounding the mall now doesn't mean there won't be in the future. That said, a block isn't really out of people's range of distance they're willing to travel to get to the park from stuff in the Old Market.

Being that this should be the flagship park in Omaha and designed to bring in people from around the region with a variety of programming, I would expect it would provide a boost for the Old Market - they could grab dinner and catch a show at the amphitheater or make an afternoon of hanging out at the park, shop, and grab lunch.

It'll also be more conducive to providing recreation opportunities to residents and office workers than the previous iteration.

[Greg S]

I'm really hoping it becomes a popular spot for foodtrucks. Seems like a perfect match.

[Louie]

I'm really hoping it becomes a popular spot for foodtrucks. Seems like a perfect match.

I would assume this happens quickly, seeing as food trucks have the agility to be there from day one. Though I suspect that ground-floor food options will begin to boom around it.

[bricknose]

Keep in mind that cities are dynamic….

Thanks for this insight. I hope you’re right and it provides that boom. I saw a lot of empty spots in the general downtown. I hope that trend turns around soon.

I'm really hoping it becomes a popular spot for foodtrucks. Seems like a perfect match.

I would assume this happens quickly, seeing as food trucks have the agility to be there from day one. Though I suspect that ground-floor food options will begin to boom around it.

I didn’t see a lot of options for ground-floor businesses to spring up. Most of those buildings don’t appear to have ground floor bays which could turn into eateries.

[Athomsfere]

Keep in mind that cities are dynamic….

Thanks for this insight. I hope you’re right and it provides that boom. I saw a lot of empty spots in the general downtown. I hope that trend turns around soon.

I'm really hoping it becomes a popular spot for foodtrucks. Seems like a perfect match.

I would assume this happens quickly, seeing as food trucks have the agility to be there from day one. Though I suspect that ground-floor food options will begin to boom around it.

I didn’t see a lot of options for ground-floor businesses to spring up. Most of those buildings don’t appear to have ground floor bays which could turn into eateries.

A cafe was in the plans at some point, as well as a food truck alley from memory...

Just needs a thai rolled ice cream, and a beer garden IMO.

[Coyote]

Four more sculptures to be unveiled for future Gene Leahy Mall this week



Later this week, four additional sculptures will be unveiled for the Gene Leahy Mall, a project with a completion date scheduled for July 1.

[skinzfan23]

With reveal of art pieces for sculpture garden, Gene Leahy Mall moves closer to reopening

Each of the five pieces will be rotated out of the sculpture garden after three years.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think each of these art pieces look great, and will be a wonderful enhancement to the new GLM experience …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Brad]

I was able to walk through the new Gene Leahy Mall yesterday. While its all going to be really nice, the one thing that really stood out is how huge the video board under the 10th street bridge is, and it wraps the sides of the bridge too. The main part on the bridge is probably about 75' wide and 12 or so feet tall, huge when people are standing by it. And on the west end, it probably went at least 10-15 fee along the side of the bridge.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I like the accents of red and orange in the park, it’ll make the weird lights actually fit in

[skinzfan23]

Sculpture travels from London to Omaha to become part of Leahy Mall display

As a 26-foot-tall sculpture travels thousands of miles to become a permanent installation in Omaha's Gene Leahy Mall, its creator sends it off with hope that Omahans feel a familiarity in the uniqueness of the piece.

The sculpture, which took about a year to make, is an expression of Omaha, Shonibare said in an interview.

Details of the city can be found in the hand-painted fiberglass that was made to look light and airy, like a piece of colorful fabric floating on the wind.

The sculpture was on a boat Thursday, bound for its new home and safely suspended in a custom-made frame. Once it comes ashore, the piece will be driven to Omaha from the Port of Baltimore.

Once it is placed placed in the plaza on the west end of the park, landscaping and a reflection pool will be built around it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

That looks great!…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[jheard15]

I'm really hoping it becomes a popular spot for foodtrucks. Seems like a perfect match.

I would assume this happens quickly, seeing as food trucks have the agility to be there from day one. Though I suspect that ground-floor food options will begin to boom around it.

Hopefully there are not many obstacles for the food truck owners. Fees, licenses, etc, can make it hard to be profitable. I don't know what Omaha's fees are but something that may need to be addressed with the city council.

[WorldStreet]

I think each of these art pieces look great, and will be a wonderful enhancement to the new GLM experience …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I think so too. I am generally very critical of abstract sculpture and am often less than impressed, but I think that all five of these pieces are very good. I can't wait to see them when they are in place.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think each of these art pieces look great, and will be a wonderful enhancement to the new GLM experience …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I think so too. I am generally very critical of abstract sculpture and am often less than impressed, but I think that all five of these pieces are very good. I can't wait to see them when they are in place.

It’s definitely coming together nicely..I can’t wait to get down to the completed GLM phase this summer. Our downtown core is already beginning to reap the benefits of this riverfront redevelopment plan.. Imagine what it will help spur (development wise) once completed in a couple of years…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[stadsborgare]

I was wondering what exactly they were gonna do there.

[TransitOriented]

I know they say a completion date of July 1, but is this open to pedestrians yet?

[Stan]

I know they say a completion date of July 1, but is this open to pedestrians yet?

No, they've still got barriers up and machinery moving about.

https://public.earthcam.net/omahariverf ... glm/view_1

[Omaha Cowboy]

I know they say a completion date of July 1, but is this open to pedestrians yet?

No, they've still got barriers up and machinery moving about.

https://public.earthcam.net/omahariverf ... glm/view_1

Yep..

Only 6 or so weeks away from opening. Can’t wait…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[stadsborgare]

The new Leahy Mall will be a great platform from whence to view the Mutual Tower rise up. I'm sure this park will have other purposes as well...

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Sculpture travels from London to Omaha to become part of Leahy Mall display

As a 26-foot-tall sculpture travels thousands of miles to become a permanent installation in Omaha's Gene Leahy Mall, its creator sends it off with hope that Omahans feel a familiarity in the uniqueness of the piece.

The sculpture, which took about a year to make, is an expression of Omaha, Shonibare said in an interview.

Details of the city can be found in the hand-painted fiberglass that was made to look light and airy, like a piece of colorful fabric floating on the wind.

The sculpture was on a boat Thursday, bound for its new home and safely suspended in a custom-made frame. Once it comes ashore, the piece will be driven to Omaha from the Port of Baltimore.

Once it is placed placed in the plaza on the west end of the park, landscaping and a reflection pool will be built around it.

This piece is being installed today, should be a great addition to the park.

[SynCallio]

Regarding food trucks, the old mall hosted Food Truck Thursday, so I don't see any issue with that resuming. The trucks just parked on 13th and got swarmed by office workers.

I miss Food Truck Thursday.

It looks like Shonibare's scuplture is going up this very afternoon!

[stadsborgare]

Still in its frame, but installed...

[skinzfan23]

Is this on the far western edge of the park?

[omahahawk]

Thanks for the pics. Gotta say I love this sculpture in and of itself but it also ties in extremely well with the surroundings. Also wanted to note if it is true with the saying that all things come back into style eventually then I believe that is definitely the case with the orange light fixtures at the Boat Cove by 10th. I thought those things had gone out with Crockett and Tubbs suit jackets but when I see them in the context of the new park I think they really do work in a cool new way. The fixture shapes and orange color add context to what is shaping up to be a warm new vibe in the park with the new sculpture park, play area, and concrete materials. Much more inviting than the stark grey concrete monoliths in place before.

[GrowUpFrances]

Thanks for the pics. Gotta say I love this sculpture in and of itself but it also ties in extremely well with the surroundings. Also wanted to note if it is true with the saying that all things come back into style eventually then I believe that is definitely the case with the orange light fixtures at the Boat Cove by 10th. I thought those things had gone out with Crockett and Tubbs suit jackets but when I see them in the context of the new park I think they really do work in a cool new way. The fixture shapes and orange color add context to what is shaping up to be a warm new vibe in the park with the new sculpture park, play area, and concrete materials. Much more inviting than the stark grey concrete monoliths in place before.

Couldn't agree more. The orange fixtures are actually quite inviting and give the park a more distinct look for Omaha. Really glad they kept them and also incorporated that orange color into the arches playground.

[Linkin5]

There was an announcement today that Brett Eldredge is playing a free concert here July 2. I have no idea who this is but apparently they are a popular country act.

[skinzfan23]

Yes, he is a pretty big country singer, this is why I love Omaha, I lived in Eastern Iowa for a few years and none of the cities ever offer free concerts with semi-big time names and Omaha has two in Brett Eldridge and Shania Twain.

[stadsborgare]

Shonibare sculpture "unmasked"

[omahahawk]

Thanks. Looks fantastic.

[stadsborgare]

Swings! (Along the 11th Street Promenade next to the slide)

[Omaha Cowboy]

Thanks for the pic updates …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

Shonibare sculpture "unmasked"

Nice picture!

[omahahawk]

One thing I noticed when I enlarged the picture....Do you know if that tower by the stage is a permanent laser light fixture or otherwise some kind of PA system? Either way it's a pretty impressive installation if it is something permanent. Gonna be a great new venue in there.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

One thing I noticed when I enlarged the picture....Do you know if that tower by the stage is a permanent laser light fixture or otherwise some kind of PA system? Either way it's a pretty impressive installation if it is something permanent. Gonna be a great new venue in there.

Those are projectors and it's going to be amazing.
https://preview.mailerlite.com/l0f7o1h2 ... 3304/k2k8/

[Brad]

Took a whole bunch of photos at the mall today. Should have them posted up tomorrow or Monday.

202205212X4A3888.jpg

[stadsborgare]

Here is another angle, from the direction of the Holland Center - like the inside of a sea shell....

[Brad]

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